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The two types of aerospace engineers include aeronautical engineers (They work with aircraft that stay within the earth's atmosphere such as airplanes and helicopters.) and astronautical engineers (They work with aircraft that operate outside of the earth's atmosphere such as rockets, satellites, and other and spacecraft.) A degree in aerospace engineering should cover them both. As for the future, it is hard to say. According to the US Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for aerospace engineers is expected to grow about 5% from 2010 to 2012 which is a little slower than average.

I think we have all struggled with multivariate calc! Personally, I would encourage your son not to give up, even if it means he will have to take some classes over again. This is not uncommon, and it shouldn't be considered a failure. Some of the college-level courses are very hard, and for some unknown reason some professors just like to make their students think their courses are harder than they need to be. If he should decide to step out of engineering, I don't think I can advise the right major to step into. That is a conversation I think he will have to have with his faculty advisor. That person should be able to guide him more carefully based upon his own skills and desires as well as the university degree programs that may be best related to what he has already done. Good luck to both of you!

Dear Lacy,
I faced a very similar situation when deciding which undergraduate university to attend. I chose the one that I felt most comfortable at (and offered me a sufficient financial package) even though it did not have the engineering department. I decided to major in physics. After graduation I went on to get a Masters in Mechanical/Aerospace engineering. The real secret has not so much to do with which school you attend so long as you can make the grade, but it is largely impacted by the internships you do. Most of the people I know who get hired at NASA or private aerospace companies participated in one of the many summer or co-op programs they offer. It allows the employer to become familiar with you and it also allows you to find the area within the agency or company that you like best.
Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo

Congratulations Lacy. Job well done. Becoming an Engineer takes a good amount of effort, becoming an Aerospace Engineer is just icing on the cake. You do not have to be an Aerospace Engineer to be successful in the Aerospace industry. Attending college is an important step, and attending the right college is equally as important. You are extremely fortunate to have two great opportunities and to have your choices narrowed to two schools is exciting.
First things first, make absolutely sure that the school you choose has an Engineering program that has a stable ABET Accreditation. Triple, or quadruple check and recheck the accreditation status every year. Big Corporations like The Boeing Company will not touch you unless your degree is from a school with an unquestionable accreditation.
If I were in your shoes and because college is only going to get more expensive, by the day it seems, a full ride with Rice University is ideal. Though the University does not offer an Aerospace Engineering degree program, it does offer a Mechanical Engineering and Material Science program. This would be a smart decision for you. With any Engineering degree you are exposed to many avenues. With a Mechanical Engineering degree, you have the chance to hold true to the diversity of the industry. I read on the NASA website that an astronaut, Dr. Massimino, is an adjunct professor at Rice Univ. Attending Texas A&M University would be great. They have an excellent Aerospace Engineering program. I'm sure they have a reputable relationship with NASA. Keep in mind, getting the degree is just the beginning of becoming an Aerospace Engineer.
An Engineering degree is just the foundation of your "career house," as I like to think of it. You also have the option of "building walls, windows, roof, etc." by continuing on to graduate school, where you will probably narrow your field of interest. -or- You may also choose to work in the industry for a while before continuing to graduate school. The later gives you the hands on experience you need and will more than likely demand once you complete your "foundation." Regardless of which school you decide, always keep in mind that you not only want to graduate with the degree, but you want the experience behind the degree. Get into the different projects in your department and community as well as Internships!!!!!! These are some of the most important things a company looks for in future leaders of the industry.
Good luck and congratulations again!!!!
C. Harris

Dear Hope,
Dont get discouraged. If becoming an aerospace engineer is what you want then you have to find a way to make it happen. Talk to your teacher and ask for additional help or find a good tutor. I know that many colleges have a guidance centers that can help students find out how they learn best. I am not sure if this is available in middle school but perhaps a high school counselor can help. It is an extremely valuable awareness to have. Most importantly dont give up. If this job was easy everyone would do it.
Best of luck,
Alicia

If you truly have a passion for planes and mechanical engineering, then I suggest that you continue your path and NOT let your perceived weakness in math and physics hold you back. You should get extra tutoring NOW. This is the time to discover how you learn best in these two subjects. My guess is that you need different kinds of lessons than you are getting from your current curriculum. Do not let this discourage you. As an engineer you will need to learn to solve problems using many different methods so now is a good time to start! Follow your rainbow.
I was told by my professors the same thing (more than once), that I should chose a less technical degree. I was told this because I had a child and had to work while I was in college. My grades suffered because of my other commitments. I got tutoring. I worked my butt off. And I got my BSME!
Good luck!

Hi Dew
It is normal to have feelings of uncertainty as you approach university.
It is a big step to take. You will be wondering about all your options
going forward.
I suggest you look at the first-year program at the university that
interests you. You will likely see that you need to take some math and
some physics and probably some chemistry as well, maybe some programming
or problem solving and even a course in the humanities. Life in
engineering is more than math and physics although we do use a lot of math
and physics in engineering.
I suspect you are doing just fine if your classmates are in the same boat.
AP Calculus and Physics are "crunchy" courses. Perhaps you will find that
it all comes together as you go forward. Perhaps talk to your teacher to
see how you are doing in comparison to other students who may have gone on
to science, math or engineering. You may be pleasantly surprised by your
teacher's answers.
Some universities offer a kind of math brush-up camp towards the end of
the summer. This could be useful to you if you still feel, at that time,
that you are not quite ready.
Finally, there are some schools that offer a first degree that is in your
area; e.g., Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering. You may find that is a
better option for you than Mechanical and then Aeronautical.
I'd be happy to email some more if you think it would be helpful. Good
luck!
M McDill

I am very happy to hear that you are good in math and science, the skills you develop in those subjects will be of great benefit in the Aerospace industry. A Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering is a great foundation to the world of Aviation. In this industry the basics for success start with a good foundation regarding aerospace, patience, skill, and determination. All of those qualities are usually embodied by women. This makes aviation a natural fit for any woman if she chooses to study the profession. The difficulty does not come so much as getting the job as it does to keep the job. All women face some challenges in any male dominating sector. The key is to have the mindset that you are qualified for the job and can perform any task as well or better than anyone else. If you find yourself not equipped for something, learn what you do not know, and try it again. Remember the only chance you will get, is the chance you make for yourself. Just for reference I also showed your question to some of the people I work with. (See below)
- Crystal
Responses from colleagues at Boeing:
In the 14 years of being an engineer; I personally have never experienced difficulty being a woman in the aerospace engineering field. Once I witnessed a woman who wanted to get special treatment because she was female. (She didn't last long because she refused to go to the aircraft). I feel that if a woman doesn't see a difference between male/female in the way she should be treated, then she will do fine. If one does their job, they are fine. Thanks. - Francis
Today doors for women are opening up in every field. Don't give up on your dreams because of another opinion. It may not come easy and you may have to work harder but go for it. When I started in this field I would be the only woman and minority for years but now there are many women of every nationality, follow your dreams. - Linda
No, it's not hard for women to get in the field. Because it is so male dominated, a majority of companies are looking to diversify their pool of employees by looking for qualified women engineers and engineers from different cultures to fill open job postings. During a mentor session on site with UW, one of the female students asked this same question to one of the directors from the Everett site. He stated it had been difficult to hire more women because he hasn't had many applicants. That definitely needs to be changed so I encourage you to seek that AE degree and get involved with technical organizations like SWE, SAE and/or AIAA to seek out those companies that are looking to diversify their employee base. - Stephanie
I can't speak for other companies, but it seems to me that women are doing quite well at Boeing. - Vern
It doesnt matter to me if an engineer is a man or woman, what matters is that they know what they're doing. I admire anyone that can make it through all of the math and other courses to get that degree. - Shelby
Is it difficult for women AE to get job in any airline company since it is a male dominating sector? It is not any more difficult for women to get a job than for a man. Some of our best engineers are female. Do women face difficulties in this sector? Everyone faces problems do not let roadblocks stop you from reaching your goals. If being an aircraft engineer is your dream then go for it. - Rodrick
I think that there will be challenges in any male dominated field. However, getting hired into aerospace engineering is not one of them. The quantity of women who excel in math and science and go on to pursue related degrees is very small. The corporate world is ever-changing and the need for a diverse workforce has been realized. With that being the case, increasing all types of diversity including work history, background, sex, race, etc is a priority, especially in engineering. I work for Boeing, one of the largest Aerospace companies, and I would strongly recommend that you pursue a degree in aerospace from an ABET-accredited university. With the corporate culture changing, it is much easier for a woman to gain employment in engineering. I would recommend that you seek out internships and co-ops from engineering companies in your sophomore and junior years of college to significantly improve you hiring chances immediately after college. - Magnificent

Hello,
Thank you for trusting us to give you advice. I have been in the aerospace industry since I graduated in 2003 and I have to say that it is very multidisciplinary. In other words, you will be equally qualified to join the industry if you are an electrical engineer, a mechanical engineer or an aerospace engineer.
Actually, I believe you have a competitive advantage if you stay in your current EE degree. This is what I would recommend: Stay in the Electrical Engineering field, and at the same time, apply to an internship in an aerospace industry. You can also get involved with aerospace projects while you are in school. If you have a good GPA in EE, you intern in aerospace and have a few aerospace projects, you will be a great fit for the industry when you graduate.
Furthermore, maintaining your EE degree has its advantages:
- As I mentioned, once you graduate you can obtain a job designing airplanes (just become involve as an undergraduate student in projects or internships).
- The aerospace industry right now is going through a tough time (just as the rest of the planet). If you maintain your EE degree you will be able to obtain a job in a non aerospace industry until things pick up again.
I hope this helps. Good luck in whatever you opt to do!!!

I think your daughters plan is an excellent one. Mechanical Engineering is a more general degree than Aerospace Engineering, with significant overlap in many of the courses. In fact, in the US, many departments are combined Mechanical and Aerospace. As far as job prospects, both degrees open many doors and one degree will not likely be better than the other. In the US, companies like the fact that engineers know how to work hard, focus, and develop evidenced-based solutions for problems. At MIT, many Aerospace Engineers actually get hired by financial companies because of their mathematical abilities! So you should not worry too much about her desire to choose Mechanical Aerospace, both will provide her an excellent foundation.
Mary (Missy) Cummings

What types of engineering careers are out there?
There are many engineering careers out there; it just depends on what you are interested in. Engineers are in almost every field you can think about. You have Aerospace Engineers, Civil Engineers, Design Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Sales Engineers, Electrical Engineers Production Engineers, Safety Engineers, Software Engineers and many more. You need to decide what you want to do then narrow your search down with what types of engineers do that type of work.
How much schooling does it take?
Most engineering careers will take about four to five years of education. Sometimes, depending on what type engineering career you want to obtain, you may have to take some tests after completing your degree.
How do you decided between opening up your own store, or going into engineering?
Im not sure what type store you are trying to open, but if you are trying to open up your own engineering company I would recommend that you work in that industry first so that you can get familiar with what others may want from you once you go into business.
Is it hard for an African American female to become a successful engineer?
It is harder because you have two factors against you, you are a female and you are an African American. When coming out of school you will probably feel that you always have to prove yourself. Sometimes they dont listen to you so you have to speak up and make sure that you keep up with everything in your field that you need to know. You have to remember to not to be afraid to ask question and just make sure that you dont allow anyone to ignore you, stand out by doing more than you need to.
Is it really worth it?
If you want it, it is worth it! Go for what you want, but if it is not in your heart then find something else.
Could I open up a business, and be an engineer?
Like I stated before, you can open your own engineering firm but try to get some experience in the industry for about five years then try to go and open your business.
What types of engineering would you suggest for a girl who likes poetry, playing instruments, figuring out problems, math, dancing, helping people, and having fun?
You have just described me! There is nothing wrong with enjoying extra curricular activities but you are going to have to decide again what type of work would you like to do after school. Are you a hands on person? Do you like to sit in front of the computer all day? Would you like to see your work one day in downtown Atlanta or somewhere else? Or would you like to work around chemicals on aircrafts or in the medical field? You have to sit down and decide what do you want to wake up every morning doing and then research what type of engineer you would need to be.

Dear Nathalie,
Congratulations on doing well in the challenging aerospace engineering curriculum. You should be proud of your accomplishments and have confidence in your abilities. I recommend that you consider an internship during the summer after your sophomore year. This way, you will have completed some technical coursework and this is a good time to begin considering what you would like to do after you complete your BS degree. Start looking into companies this fall, since many of them will hire in the fall for the coming summer. Also, this leaves you the spring to continue to look, if you can not locate the internship in the fall. Not all internships require programming, so explore multiple opportunities in the traditional aerospace companies, NASA and government laboratories. I wish you the best of luck.

1. Aerospace engineering involves aeronautics (Aero - vehicles in lower air medium, i.e., airplanes, jets, helicopters, glider, balloons) and astronautics (an old term that describes vehicles that work in the upper atmosphere of space, i.e., satellites, International Space Station, Space Shuttle, rockets)
2. My education did prepare me for my career. But there are always surprises. One major surprise was the first Space Shuttle disaster. I graduated that spring and realized the jobs I wanted to work on were at a standstill. I decided to go to graduate school.
3. When attending MIT I was ill prepared for the level of mathematics that I was expected to have mastered. Also, as a practicing engineer money and time are never enough.
4. My job is great. I really like the fact that I am always learning something new. My days are never the same.
5. BS from Mass. Institute of Technology Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
Master of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy from Howard University Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Option
Classes were in: technical writing; computer programming; electrical eng. - optimization, circuitry and control theory; civil eng. - structures, finite element theory; mathematics - linear algebra, calculus, differential equations, applied mathematics, statistics; mechanical eng. - vibrations, mechanics, system dynamics, astrodynamics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, etc....
6. All the time. We are sent lots of announcements, have workshops and lectures that are available to all employees.
7. Nope. But I think about extending my knowledge to other fields.
8. I love teaching and speaking about what I do.

Workplace discrimination against women is not new in engineering organisations. Many men including women still believe that engineering is a man's job. Have confidence in yourself and be diligent at work. Strive for perfection in your assignments, be friendly and you will gain the confidence of all and sundry in the shortest possible time.

Both the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech have Aerospace Engineering programs that have been accredited by ABET (the board that makes sure an engineering program meets expectations for granting engineering degrees). I did not go to school in Virginia and believe that the quality of education at both would be great, so it is up to you to decide which is best for you. You may like to look at the two programs (and maybe contact the schools to see if you can speak to students who are studying there). It is really up to you to decide which one might fit you best. You should also like the environment in general.
You can find Virginia Tech's Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at: http://www.aoe.vt.edu/ Since aerospace includes the study of fluids, air and water can be related in how they react... in other words, an airplane in air is similar to studying a submarine in water. You may find this interesting and the department offers degrees in both areas of study. Mechanical engineering study is in a separate department.
You can find the University of Virginia's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at: http://www.mae.virginia.edu/ This program concentrates on both mechanical and aerospace engineering and the department grants degrees in both areas as well.
In any engineering school, they will look for good grades and effort in math (strong Algebra Geometry and some Calculus if you can) and sciences (Physics in particular). But don't be deterred if your grades are not all straight As or if you struggle here or there in Physics or Calculus. I certainly admit that I did not like every aspect of every subject I took in high school! It doesn't mean you can't get in and do well! Aerospace is a fun curriculum. Good luck!

I passed your question to a professor of AOE at Virginia Tech. This is what she had to say:
---
Dear Grace from VA,
You are quite fortunate in that you live in a state with many wonderful Aerospace Engineering programs. For example, Old Dominion and the University of Virginia both have strong Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering programs. In my admittedly biased opinion, the best Aerospace Engineering program in the state is at Virginia Tech! As for what courses to take—I urge you to build a strong math and science background. Work hard at math and physics, and if you can take AP Calculus and AP Physics in high school that will certainly help prepare you for an Aerospace Engineering degree program. Seek out opportunities to learn more about planes and/or spacecraft. As just a couple ideas, you can get exposure to small airplanes by participating in an EAA Young Eagles Day (http://www.youngeagles.org/), and NASA’s website (http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html) has all sorts of educational/motivational information. Lastly, Universities like to see strong students (high GPAs in rigorous courses) and well-rounded individuals (active in clubs, sports, music, student leadership, etc…) so being involved in your community is a good thing! I hope this helps answer your questions.
Go Hokies!
Dr. Leigh McCue
Assistant Professor
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Virginia Tech

Hi Grace,
I am a graduate of the University of Virginia and believe that you can get an excellent engineering education at many institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For aerospace engineering in particular, your two choices are Virginia Tech and UVa, both excellent schools.
You should take as much math as you can in high school, through calculus if possible, and in the sciences, you should have biology, chemistry and physics.
Good luck!

Hi Andi,
I studied in Aerospace Engineering and now work in industry. I do mostly research and development work, but on a variety of aircraft and spacecraft. I had the same kind of question when I first decided what to study so I'm happy to give you my perspective!
I currently work with people of all kinds of majors - civil, mechanical, and aerospace. There are a lot of similarities in those areas when it comes to aerospace work. You would be able to find a place in the industry regardless of major you do when you learn the engineering behind it.
Mechanical Engineering tends to give you a broad perspective of engineering and gives you opportunities in many areas - aerospace, cars, construction, etc. Some people think that Aerospace can be limiting, but like mechanical there is application of the major in other areas too. What is most important is getting a good foundation in the engineering background.
A major in mechanical with a minor or emphasis in aerospace would definitely work and I would recommend it to give you some exposure to hands on aerospace type of work and background for your first job. If that's not an option, some schools have clubs and hands on programs that all majors can join to participate in projects and lessons in the industry their interested in, so I would definitely take advantage of that. Internships and summer programs are another good way to give yourself exposure to the industry.
It is most important to find something that you like in a good program. If you already know you want to work in aerospace, going into that major would give you the opportunities to start studying right away in the area that you enjoy. You may find that you enjoy your classes more when they relate structures or aerodynamics problems to a shuttle vehicle rather than a car.
But if you found good a university or a program that you like that does not offer it or only has the minor/emphasis, you can still be successful working in aerospace.
Good luck! Nikki

Natalie,
The requirement of a Ph.D to design robots that explore other planets really depends on what part of the robot design you would like to do. To put a robot on another planet requires MANY different kinds of jobs.
For instance, the instruments that are selected to go on a particular robot are often designed at Universities by researchers and professors or at private companies. Usually the instrument teams are lead by people who have Ph.Ds in their specific area of research because it is highly specialized. However, those who actually build the instrument may not.
Others design particular parts of the robot, like the propulsion system, the wheels or landing system or the materials that the robot is made of like thermal protection material or materials that have particular properties that can survive the extreme conditions on other planets. People in all of these positions do not necessarily have Ph.Ds but some do. Usually those who do have a Ph.D specialize in a very specific aspect of the design.
As for myself, I work as part of the team who designs rovers to go to other planets. I do not have a Ph.D but I do have a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. I work specifically on the robots flight through the atmosphere. For example, I help to design parachutes used for landing the robots by using models of the robot and the atmosphere in computer simulations to determine how fast it has to slow down to land safely. That translates into how big the parachute has to be and when it needs to be deployed. Those results are provided to the parachute makers and the rover builders. Everything we do is interconnected but many people work on a tiny aspect of the whole thing.
All of these are just a few examples of what aeronautical engineers do.
In summary, many engineering jobs do not require a Ph.D, many scientific research jobs do. My advice is to try different things, intern at different places, then decide which is best for you.
Hope this helps,
Alicia Cianciolo
Aerospace Engineer

Regrettably, I can offer little direct experience, but at Dartmouth I know several engineers who prevailed despite learning disabilities. The bottom line is, if you can learn the material, at your own pace, as long as you end up understanding it, you can succeed as an engineer.
Regards,
Ursula

Dear Leana:
I so admire your tenacity and your motivation. Keep on keeping on.
Have you heard of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic? I served as a reader for over 10 years - recording scientific, mathematics, and engineering textbooks. This might be helpful to you.
Jill

I don’t have direct experience with any of those learning disorders, and I’m not aware of any of my engineering colleagues having them, but I do have a friend with dyslexia who is a biologist. I asked her, since scientists and engineers face many of the same difficulties. This is what she had to say:
“I have problems putting thoughts into writing. My spelling is horrendous and reading is very slow for me. While I have difficulties in those areas, I think it has made me more adept at other things. I feel like I have an aptitude for certain types of math and have an artistic eye, which my parents always attributed to the dyslexia. To be honest, I have not really thought about it much since I was in grade school. I feel like it has not hindered me. … I was tutored early on and given learning techniques that have become so integrated that I don't really remember what they are.”
Your comment about “An engineer who can't sit still long enough to read a paragraph seems to be earmarked for failure” is pretty strong, and sounds like ADD rather than dyslexia. I think that if you can get through school, an engineering background will be valuable to you in many fields (e.g. law, management), but you might want to seek jobs that are matched with your strengths. These might include engineering jobs, but some engineering jobs require a lot of sitting and focusing. You’ll want to think about job requirements more carefully than the typical student during your job search. But the fact that you've made it this far in engineering despite the extra challenges indicates that you've got determination and the ability to seek out the resources you need, which will serve you well.
Eva

Hi Mackenzie,
There are quite a few requirements for a job in engineering. But for a student your age you need to focus on doing well in math and science and having good communication skills. Here are some other things you should think about:
Mathematics
Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry
Science
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science
Computers
FORTRAN, Pascal, C+, Matlab
Wordprocessing, Databases, Graphics
English for Communication Skills
Reading, Language, Arts, Sports, -- Be well rounded
I am not sure what you mean about good and bad things in engineering. My perspective of any job is do something that you love to do! This way if you work long hours and/or weekends to accomplish a task related to you job it will never seem like a bad thing if you really enjoy what you do. I believe I chose engineering because I like to solve problems that help make life for humans better/easier. In addition to that I loved working with my hands creating and fixing things. I loved math and science and later I learned to like computers.
I'm a great team player and that works well when working with my team everyday.
I hope that helps.
Dr. Ericsson

Hello Zainab!
What great questions you have! Engineering is a great field for females. In fact, when I was at P&W my boss’s boss’s boss was a female. So there is a chance for great success in engineering!
If you are interested in machines/robots/engines, I would stick with Mechanical Engineering. I don’t think it’s necessary to double major with Aerospace engineering, unless you were 100% certain you wanted to work in the aerospace industry. The wonderful thing about ME is that it will provide you a broad overview of various industries. Because the ME coursework is so expansive it can offer you many different job opportunities (including aerospace, automotive, robotics, engines, etc). My degree is in ME and I never felt limited by it.
I understand your questions about the engineering job hours and day to day office environment. Unfortunately it really depends on where you decide to work someday. You could end up in a very progressive small company that allows their employees really flexible hours or even a very traditional corporation that is a little behind when it comes to work-life balance. These are great questions and you should really investigate companies you apply to for work or internships to see what the company culture is like. Try to find alumni from your university that work at the companies you’re interested in and ask them these great questions. Most universities have an alumni directory. The company culture is an important part of your decision on deciding where to work. When I was at P&W they were flexible with me when I needed maternity leave, but it’s not something they did very often. They don’t allow part-time telecommuting employees and that was a major factor when I decided to quit and become a stay at home mom (which I love!) In fact, we just found out we’re having identical twins – due to arrive mid-Mayish!
Also, right now I would suggest you focus on finding an internship for this summer. Try to find a company that specializes in things that interest you. It’s great for your resume but it’s also really important for you to get out in the workforce and see if robotics/engines/machines/etc are a good fit for you. And if your university offers any engineering clubs or projects (like Formula SAE, Engineers Without Boarders, etc) you should really get involved. I know they take extra time that you feel like you don’t have but it is so important to have those kinds of experiences on your resume.
Best of luck!
Jenni

I am glad you’re interested in Engineering and in Aerospace Engineering – I think it’s an amazing field and most of us who are part of it have so much passion for the science and technology of flight. From Sally Ride, the first US woman to fly to space to Marta Bohn-Meyer, a chief engineer in NASA and the first woman crewmember to fly in the SR-71, there are so many excellent women aerospace engineers who have inspired us all. It has only been a little more than a 100 years since we achieved flight and we have come so far, imagine where we will be in the next 100 years and we need people who are excited about the field to bring us forward to meet the engineering challenges.

The best part about Aerospace Engineering is that it involves the expertise of many different kinds of engineers like Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial and more. I myself did my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering while taking senior level Aerospace classes because we did not have an Aerospace engineering department in my hometown. I then worked to find opportunities to do my masters and PhD in Aerospace Engineering elsewhere. What you need is passion for the field and the drive to excel. You will eventually find your way to what interests you the most and you will be successful in it!

Hi Shammy, I'm happy to give you my thoughts on getting an internship and I'm so glad to hear that you're interested in doing one. I agree with you that hands on experience is a strong point when looking for a full time job. There are two key recommendations I would make. The first is for online applications - make sure that you tailor your resume for each job that you're applying for highlighting skills that match the position. You want to identify what is really critical and in the job posting and make sure that your resume highlights the skills you have that address that so that you don't get filtered out. An online resume can be longer than an in person one, so use it to your advantage. Second, make sure that you're personally getting out there to meet recruiters and companies at events like career fairs and workshops. A lot of companies do recruiting through organization and school career fairs and that is a great way to get some direct feedback and meet people in person. Things like the Society of Women Engineers conference, diversity events, and other things that your schools may offer. And if you have ways to get involved in projects, research, other university work make sure to do that in the meantime! Good luck with your internship search!

Hi Yarra, thanks for the question! I'm excited to hear about your interest in how planes work and engineering and I do not think that you should give up your dream because you are currently struggling in math and physics. Math and physics are a base to engineering, so you will have to work hard to make it happen, but that does not mean you cannot do it. What is really important is that you find something you love and the interest in how things work is a key aspect of engineering. I personally struggled through some of my core classes, but I excelled in and loved my major classes and I know others who felt the same. With hard work and extra focus, you may find that you will come to understand these tough subjects better in your own time. You may have to spend extra focus on working hard in these areas, asking for help, finding tutors, and the right people to help you get through your classes. Find a support group of friends, women engineers, and people at school that can help you understand and work hard on those classes. Asking for help is a good thing when you have trouble with a class and being able to do so will benefit you at work someday too.
So what I am really saying is that you can definitely still excel as an engineer if these are not your best subjects, but you will need support and to put in a lot of hard work! But in the end, if you can do something that you enjoy, it will be worth it! Good luck! Nikki

Hi Jenny!
I don't know much about cheerleading... or what cheerleading entails in adulthood.
I'm an electrical engineer and a salsa dancer. I am fortunate enough to live in a big city with a vibrant salsa dancing scene. I have performed and participated in competitions and have no problem keeping up with dancing alongside engineering.
In fact, I know at least 3 other engineers who are actively performing and training at our studio.
So it should not be a problem to keep up with the cheering unless it requires extensive periods of travel or conflicting with work schedule.

Julia,
As a high school student interested in aerospace engineering, you should be taking math and physics classes in school including calculus. If your school has a model rocket team, you could try joining that or starting one!
NASA also offers educational programs for high school students. You can find information about the different programs here:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/

Angela,
Aerospace engineers usually work in designing aircraft or spacecraft and related systems.
On a day to day basis, it really depends on a particular job.
Some work in hands-on jobs that involve setting up experiments and testing different components. Some work in design which involves a lot of creative thinking and doing lots of analysis, running simulations etc.
Others, like myself, work in areas such as space system engineering, which is a discipline that ties all the different parts of a space system together. So I spend a lot of time writing requirements, talking to people working on different aspects of the project.

Hi Anusha,
It is so nice to learn of your interest in physics and astronomy as well as to learn that you aspire to be an aerospace engineer. I am a Mechanical Engineer myself and while some courses I took in school were tough and needed a lot of effort, they were certainly doable. Going to med school is no easy task when compared to engineering. I would say they are both strenuous.
Being a good doctor or a good engineer and acing in your respective field will take both effort and perseverance from your end. Just as you are getting advice from an engineer,I would encourage you to reach out to a doctor as well and hear from them first hand about their educational experience. When you have enough data about both professions, you will be able to make a choice based on both your interest and capability level. There are a lot of jobs available for engineers all around the world. It completely depends on what you want to do and over the 4 years of engineering, you might discover new passions and interests which can lead to many innovative careers.
If you need additional advice, please feel free to reach out to me via email.

Salaam Nihala!
I actually saw this question when surfing the internet and I had to join the site to answer it.
The answer to your question is: Absolutely Not!
Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering is a great field filled with people who are really passionate about their work. And I'm so glad you're interested in this field.
I'm Muslim too and in fact, grew up in Saudi Arabia (Al Khobar). I now work as an aerospace engineer in the US. There were other Muslim girls with me in university both for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many of them are working in the field.
What people might mean is that you might not be able to get a job in this field in certain countries where the aerospace industry is not very large. So you would have to be open to living in a place where there are aerospace companies or government labs where you could work.
For my experience so far, I have not experienced any discrimination during all the internships I did in university and the jobs I have done since graduating.
So I hope you will continue your interest in this exciting field. And please feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

Hi Mya! I personally think that the best way to find the right part is to try different things out. I picked an area that interested me the most in school and worked to get an internship in that field. It turns out that I was lucky and I really did enjoy it. And in the meantime, I've been able to experience different aspects of it that I do like and some that I don't like, so you will continue to learn in your career what works best for you. If you can't get an internship at this time, I recommend getting other hands on experiences through volunteering, engineering organizations, clubs, and continued education. My biggest advice about finding a career goes along with this - don't be afraid to try new things and maybe get out of your comfort zone. There are a lot of opportunities out there, so try them out and see if they're a good fit. Also, find a job that you keep learning at because that will make it interesting.
If you're currently looking for a job, network whenever you can. Get involved in aerospace organizations and clubs, go to career fairs, attend presentations, and get to know people and opportunities. A lot of jobs are also posted online now, so familiarize yourself with the online processes and tips for making sure you stand out electronically! Good luck!

Tuskegee University has an excellent graduate degree program in Electrical Engineering as well as Mechanical Engineering. Most impressive of them all is the Material Science Doctorate degree program. Because it’s a fairly new program, there are some pretty amazing research opportunities to pursue and outstanding staff and faculty to work with you. I would encourage you to pursue either of these programs and take full advantage of the summer opportunities offered. Here is a link to the graduate program site for Tuskegee University.

It is never too late! I never took an engineering class until I decided to get a masters in it. I finished my bachelors degree in physics and decided that it was not a career path that suited me. Perhaps I felt the same way you do. I had never had an engineering class but what I did know about it had me interested.

If there is still an opportunity to gain some engineering experience through a internship or shadow program take advantage of it now. If not, put together a personal statement that highlights all your best qualities and don't worry so much about others have done. You might ask a science or engineering teacher or guidance councilor for help with technical language. It is important to let the university know that you have the desire, curiosity, and enthusiasm to learn engineering. From personal experience, mechanical and aeronautical engineering are challenging but infinitely rewarding fields of study.

And, if you find that they don't suite you after taking some courses, at least you'll know for sure.

The best way to get information about this would be to use the University Finder on the TryEngineering webpage. You can enter your country to find all the accredited programs in your area. The required prerequisites will vary by university so look into each program carefully, then contact the ones that interest you most. Good luck.

There are several ways to become an aerospace engineer. Some students take an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering. There is a program like that at my university, Carleton, in Ottawa, Canada. Other students choose to take an undergraduate degree in something like electrical or mechanical engineering followed by a master's degree in aerospace.
Some do an undergraduate degree in aerospace and then a graduate degree in aerospace or a graduate degree in some other appropriate engineering field. Don't forget about the possibility of doing a PhD as well.

A good place to start is to ask yourself what kind of aerospace topics are you interested in studying. Perhaps you are interested in how wings are shaped or how the fluids move in a gas turbine engine or what materials are used. Perhaps you are curious about how the electrical and computer components work with the software that together control the wings and the engines. Perhaps you want to understand how rockets work or microgravity or how people live in space. It is a huge field with lots of interesting and exciting developments.

Engineering is a global business and, in many instances, your educational qualifications can take you and your career, around the world. Of course there will be challenges and issues related to whether or not your degree (or degrees) are recognized. Check to see if the school you are interested in, is accredited. There may also be challenges with other things. Education and career experiences are one thing, getting a driver's licence in a new country, for example, can be entirely different!

Hi Ayesha,Thank you for the question, I hope you find my feedback helpful.
I would encourage you to follow your passion and interest.If you truly believe that you have the perseverance to study, excel in a certain subject and make a successful career out of it, go for it! I believe that with hard work and persistence you will be able to even attain the marks to prove to your father that you definitely have the capability to follow your dreams. Parents are wonderful people who want the best for us. I would not necessarily dismiss their concerns, but speak to them and show improvement in your grades, so that they too have the confidence that one day you will make a great aerospace engineer! Good luck !!

Hi there.
Great question! In general, astrophysicists would work more on the questions like "how does the universe work?" and "how did we get here?" and "are we alone out here?". They are scientists who look at data gathered by satellites, mathematical models, and work in observatories. They may veer into more applied areas, like creating sensors that will help measure a parameter, or they may stay in very theoretical realms, looking at models.
Aerospace engineers are usually much more on the applied side of how to actually get that satellite into space. They work to make bigger, more efficient rockets or smaller, tailored rockets. An aerospace engineer might be responsible for coming up with the trajectory (or the path) the satellite will take and make sure there is enough fuel on board to carry out the mission. They help design and build thermal systems and materials that can handle the extreme heat and cold. Basically, anything relating to the design, build, launch, and operation of a satellite would be mostly aerospace engineers.
I also feel I should point out that aerospace engineers can also work on things not related to space. We work on aircrafts, jet engines, helicopters, submarines, atmospheric research... we do a broad range of things that are not even related to space; something to keep in mind.
Aerospace engineering is usually its own degree; some schools combine aerospace and mechanical engineering in one department or offer a mechanical engineering degree with an aerospace focus. Astrophysics might be its own degree or be a area of specialization within physics departments, but it will depend on the school. Most big state schools that offer aerospace engineering would also offer a degree in astrophysics and/or physics. Smaller, liberal arts schools will often offer a physics degree but might not have an aerospace engineering degree. So it really is up to where you want to go.
The University of Colorado in Boulder offers both an astrophysics and an aerospace engineering degree, and both are highly ranked. The University of Maryland, College Park also offers both degrees and I can attest their aerospace engineering program is great (my alma mater). MIT, Cal Tech, Stanford etc all have great programs for both. I would recommend a larger school so you have the option of switching majors if you so choose.
Best of luck to you!

Great question. I thought about how to respond because I wanted to give you a sense of what it means to be an Engineer. Basically, engineering is the application of knowledge to create objects or scenarios. I use Engineering on a daily basis with almost everything from figuring out what size flat washers I need to retain my car's steering panel-that keeps falling because the screws have worn through; really irritating- to repairing a component or bracket on an aircraft wing. One could also find themselves engineering an explanation to get an extension on an assignment, or if you are like my niece, a way to get out of her punishment for inappropriate behavior. Engineering, in general, is versatile. Be careful of what you call yourself or the stereotype, you may find yourself engineering one day.

I hope I was able to answer your question and please feel free to ask more.

Within the field of aerospace engineering in the United States, there is some fluidity in the usage and definition of the terms describing the field; generally the term "aerospace" encompasses all of the aeronautical and astronautical engineering, covering the craft operating within or external to the Earth's atmosphere, respectively. The work done by aerospace engineers varies broadly depending on which job they hold- generally ranging from the people who do the up-front mechanical engineering design work starting with a clean sheet of paper to model the structural elements of the spacecraft to fit within the launch shroud of the rocket and survive the acoustic loads during the launch process to the people who test the fully-assembled spacecraft in large vacuum chambers that simulate the pressure and thermal environment of space to ensure that all of the electronics and mechanisms perform to their requirements. I gather from your question that you are interested in the discipline that people in the US refer to as aerospace engineering, and is often referred to as aeronautical engineering in the UK. Be aware that I have only a passing familiarity with the UK educational system, but examining the GCA Advanced Level course information available on Wikipedia, I recommend that you take classes in physics, math, and potentially electronics or design engineering to support your career aspirations. Your university education will require a thorough grounding in these basics and the entire field of aerospace engineering builds on a good foundation in math and physics- whether you choose to study the materials for building spacecraft, the science of spacecraft navigation, the design of rockets and thrusters to propel spacecraft into and through space, or the electronics to control and operate those spacecraft. Through studying the many aspects of aerospace engineering (with additional reading and internet research during your A level courses), I think you will identify a sub-field of aerospace engineering that is more interesting to you than any others-- perhaps it will be fluid dynamics, which is important to developing effective rockets for launching spacecraft, and then you will choose to take a course of study at university that supports your fluid dynamics specialty, or something else may grab your interest and you will choose that direction instead.

There are many sources of information on the internet that might provide you with useful background in aerospace engineering and information on the many career paths that are available; I recommend that you start with the following: www.careersinaerospace.com and www.aerosociety.com/Careers-Education Other sites I recommend are: www.esa.intl and www.nasa.gov both of which provide excellent information on current, future, and past space missions and they often provide profiles of people doing specific jobs in the aerospace workforce.

I wish you all the best in your future studies and finding the right career in a field that you enjoy, thanks for asking your questions,

Hi Morgan,
Glad you're interested in aerospace.
As for what to major in for undergrad, it really depends on what you're interested in. You should be able to go onto a Masters in aerospace with either. Though with a background in electrical engineering, an aerospace Masters that's maybe more focused on avionics may be easier.
If aerospace as a whole is what you're really interested in, then Mechanical Engineering is the way to go as aerospace engineering is essentially a specialization of Mechanical engineering. In fact, in many universities they are the same department. At my undergrad university, the first two years of aerospace and mechanical engineering were identical and so was much of the third year. Some schools which offer only mechanical engineering do offer elective classes that are more related to aerospace. So you could look into this. But in general mechanical engineering is broader than aerospace engineering but you study the same disciplines such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, control systems, etc.
You could try talking to a mechanical engineering professor at your school to see what elective courses may be more suited to your interests in aerospace engineering.
Good luck!

I have to say, I'm not sure what an aircraft engineer is either. I am a mechanical engineer (by degree) but I work for an aerospace company. I've worked in many jobs at my company. I've been in airplane design that focused on the interiors (sidewalls, stowbins, seats), flight testing where i got to fly on the airplane and test it, and then production support. In Production support, I worked with the aircraft mechanics (the people who actually turn the wrench and build the airplane) to help them fix mistakes and improve design. As the engineer, you dont physically build the airplane, but create the design. We have aircraft mechanics and those are the guys that have their hands on the airplane building. Some of them have A&P (airframe and powerplant) certification, but none of them are engineers. There are smaller company's where you might design and help build the product. A degree in electrical, mechanical, or aerospace would allow you to design airplanes.

Salaam Mariam,
Myself and other Muslim women in aerospace I know are living proof that this isn't true :-)
I encourage you to switch your major to something you really love and aerospace is a really exciting field.
As for how to convince your parents, perhaps going to an appointment at your school's career office with your parents might be helpful. You're also welcome to check out and share my website about my work with your family. My contact info is there in case they have any questions for me.
My website is: http://WWW.zeikonline.com

Hi Mike, thank you for your question! Aerospace is a very cyclical industry where things can change based on the economy and defense market very easily. So while there are downturns, they have historically bounced back. Advancing technology and capability in aerospace in a variety of ways always has opportunities. What is important is that you work hard and do your best and really enjoy the work that you do. If aerospace is where your interest lie, I would definitely encourage you to study it in college! A B.S. will get give you many opportunities for a job building and designing aircraft for a good company at a good salary. Whether or not you want to stop there may depend on your specific interests, the company that you work for, and the area in aerospace that you want to get into. I would encourage you to explore internships and job fairs while you are in college to find out more about the specific needs the companies have and how they align with your interests. Also, make sure to find out if the companies that you are interested in have programs where they can pay for advanced degrees if you want to work it out that way. Good luck!

If there is a model rocket club where you live, you could try joining that.
Take lots of math and science in school.
You could also see if there is a cube sat (cube satellite) club in your area.
For example, there is this one in California: http://www.psatellite.com/CubeSat/
When you reach high school, check out this robot competition: http://www.zerorobotics.org/web/zero-robotics/home-public
In Atlanta, you can try contacting the aerospace engineering department at GeorgiaTech to see if they may have any programs for students at your level:
http://www.ae.gatech.edu
Good luck!

Dear Sydney,
First of all I must congratulate you on two things: making goals and coming up with a plan to realize it. This is amazing! You have the makings of a successful design engineer and a great leader and all of this in the 7th grade.
Building robots is an excellent way to learn about design engineering.
There are also good resources to learn about opportunities for design engineers on the NASA website and the
website for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Askpolaris is an AIAA website that has resources for future aerospace engineers like you.
Look out for design competitions at your local area or through the nearby universities.
Design engineers are very good at working in teams since they have to work with people from various engineering disciplines to make the project successful. If you are involved in any projects where you work in a group setting in school, that's good training for the future.
Good luck!
Seetha

Hi David,
Thanks for your question.
I did not complete my early education in the United States but I did complete graduate school which allowed me to stay here on a work permit called Optional Practical Training. That provides enough time for employers to apply for work visas.
You are correct about security clearance issues. In the US, there is a set of regulations called the International Traffic in Arms regulations which prevents foreign nationals from working on many aerospace projects specifically in military and space applications or any dual use technologies (civil and military). For this reason, many companies simply do not hire foreign nationals. This set of regulations actually fall under export control rather than regulations on classified technology, etc. Any project requiring an actual security clearance is not open to foreigners as foreigners are not eligible for security clearances.
What I meant to say is that I've never experienced racial or religious based discrimination on a personal level from any employers. I don't consider employers not hiring foreigners as discrimination as their hands are tied due to legal issues.
To be able to work in the US, you need a company to sponsor a work visa. Many companies simply find this too cumbersome to do. But there are exceptions. Also, these will be companies that work on projects that don't fall under ITAR, which is tricky because ITAR rules are loosely defined as to what technologies are included. Companies can apply for ITAR-exemption for foreign nationals. But again, the process for this is quite cumbersome and many companies are not willing to do this. One company that hires Canadians is Gulfstream and they work on civilian aircraft.
The good news is that if you are able to be here on a work visa and the employer is willing to sponsor you to become a permanent resident, then you automatically become eligible to work on ITAR-sensitive projects after you get your green card.
So the short answer is, it is extremely difficult for foreign nationals to work in aerospace in the US. I was lucky enough to find a job that was not ITAR-sensitive and my employer was willing to sponsor my work visa. However, I applied for this while I was already here on a student visa and was able to use the practical training work permit that comes with the student visa to start my job after graduation while the paperwork for a work visa was being done.
The other thing is that getting jobs in the US is highly dependent on networking. Online job applications are not very helpful. So attending conferences, etc. where you might meet senior engineers or managers from the US who might be able to help your resume/CV get to the right person can be very useful. The opportunities that I've found open to foreign nationals has pretty much been through networking. Hearing of another foreigner working at a company through alumni networks at my university or meeting someone at a conference and following up to see if there are other positions open at their company. NASA Ames Research Center is another place with several foreign nationals hired as contractors. Again, its networking that is really helpful to hear of opportunities like that. I met several helpful people through attending the Space Generation Congress and the International Astronautical Congress. Both of those have programs for young people include travel funding available and networking opportunities. So if you're interested in space projects, I would check those out.
I am not sure what the situation is in Canada or Europe. I think its definitely easier in those places compared to the US (though I'm Canadian so I don't have any idea about visa problems in Canada). I had good luck with applying to jobs in the Netherlands in the past.
If you are still in school, doing internships is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. There are definitely internships in the US that are open to foreign nationals. NASA Academy for example has a few limited spots for European and sometimes Canadian students.
Hope thats helpful.
Zahra

Hi Kenz - Yes and no. It is possible to get a degree in just aerospace or aeronautical engineering, and there are things you learn in aerospace/aeronautical engineering that you might not learn getting a degree in a different engineer field. However, aeronautical engineer does have things common with chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering and many of your classes will overlap.
Let me know if that answered your question.
~Amelia

I would say aerospace engineering is most closely related to mechanical engineering. In many universities, like my undergrad college, it is the same department and only a handful of courses are different between mechanical and aerospace engineering. So one can think of it as a specialization of mechanical engineering.

Hi, Kai!
Yes, aerospace engineers (as well as mechanical engineers) might work on building newer engines or power systems for space shuttles and/or rovers. AEs will probably do more with rocket engines or turbo-fan/turbo-prop/jet engines but MEs can play in that space as well. The lines are blurring on what constitutes an AE vs. a ME. The best news is that you think that both are cool! Either pathway will get you to where you want to be!
Good luck!

Wow! You are hard core!!! :-)
My degree is in ME and many at my company also had ME degrees. I think that you should have no problem getting into a graduate program with an ME degree. You can always contact the graduate program you're interested in and ask them what they suggest.
I personally don't know much about chemical engineering. I guess it would also depend on what you want to do within aerospace engineering. If you wanted to work with fuels then CE would probably be the right choice.
Good luck! You're amazing!!!
Jenni

The best alternative to posting resumes online, is to participate in your university’s career days. Generally, these larger companies will interview right on campus. Then invite you to a site tour if you pass through the first round of interviews. Make sure your resume is proofed thoroughly, as I have seen countless engineers resumes with errors that spell check doesn’t catch.

Having poor grades will limit your choices for college regardless of your chosen major. However, it certainly is not impossible, and there are often options to study at a community college for a few years to improve your academic standing if you are not able to get into a chosen college with your high school record. The question should be, is aerospace engineering what you really want to do? If so you can speak with a guidance counselor about your options and chart a path that will work for you. Good luck!

Hi Oyenbhen - I am so glad you wrote in. So I will admit I know very little of software design, but I do know a little about aerospace engineering. If you want to design software regardless of where it goes, I would look into software engineering. I also encourage you to find a university that has both programs, because than you can talk with the professors about the possibility of a dual degree or a minor. You can also take classes in both programs and make sure you enjoy the work. Also if you love space why not look at astronomy as hobby, most universities have a telescope and an astronomy club.
~Amelia

There are tremendous opportunities in Near-Space, which is from 0 to 1,000 feet up from the earth. Do you think airplanes are exciting and neat? How about sail-planes and airships? Overcoming Gravity always is the issue and the challenge! Go for it !!

Hi Meenu - It sounds to me like aeronautical engineer is a good option for you. If it is something you are interested in and good at than go for it. Both my college roommates were women who went into aeronautical engineering and they both now work for Boeing. The only way to over turn the male majority is for women like you to pursue the career you want!
~Amelia

Hi Arieh - Aerospace engineering would be a great profession. I think the first step is to browse some college web sites that have aerospace engineering programs. See what they are looking for in their incoming freshman and what types of class you would be expected to take. If there are any colleges in your area you might reach out to the professors or students who can give you an idea of what was most helpful to them. You should be taking all the math and science class you can.
You could also stay current on news articles about aerospace engineering. The NASA website is a great reference.
As for the salary I checked out this website: http://www1.salary.com/Aerospace-Engineer-I-Salary.html

I encourage you to research internships/fellowships for new graduates interested in Space and Technology. I know NASA has some programs that may or may not partner with other countries for students interested in travel and Engineering, etc. I believe it’s called NASA Pathways Opportunities or something to that affect. Also, don’t forget about local/regional small companies/labs that may have internships/fellowships for short periods of time. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has a great summer internship program for student in the summer. It’s important to get out and get exposure in a field of study that you think you might want to spend a significant amount of your life pursuing.

Dear Hiba,
First of: you should major in whatever you have the greater passion for. If you are passionate about aircraft or spacecraft, go for it. Things will fall into place. But if you're unsure, you might want to do mechanical engineering.
Mechanical engineering is the general engineering of dynamics, kinetics, fluids, etc while aerospace engineering is specialization of mechanical engineering. That means as a mechanical engineer you will learn fluid flows in pipes and ducts and in aerospace engineering you might focus on aerodynamics (fluid flows over wings). It is the same theory, but aerospace engineering applies it to aerospace specific problems.
Some schools actually have aerospace engineering as a focus in mechanical engineering rather than its own major.
Now, as for landing a job: usually the aerospace companies will accept either an aerospace engineer or a mechanical engineer (with a focus in the particular area of interest) for the same job. Engineering jobs are all competitive, no matter what field you go in. Making sure you will get a good job has less to do with your particular major and is more about working hard, doing internships or working in research labs, and applying your knowledge.
I work on inlet and jet engine design for highly integrated vehicles (that means an aircraft like the X43) so my colleagues are electrical/computer engineers, mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, materials engineers, aerospace engineers, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, chemists, and even some civil engineers. Electrical & computer engineers work on the control system of the vehicle, which is basically the brains behind the airplane. Mechanical and civil engineers work on various things, including the structural integrity of the airplane. Chemical & material engineers and chemists work on the fuel system and choosing the right materials for the airplane. Physicists work out the theory of the fluid flow which the mathematicians and computer scientists help develop into computer programs that help in the design of the vehicle. And aerospace engineers are kind of dispersed in all areas.
If I were you, I'd check out the school you are interested in and see both departments. Get a feel for which one you are more comfortable in, which ones have the more interesting research, and pick that one.
And of course, if you end up getting a master's degree, you will specialize even further.

Dear Karla,
Both Aerospace and Mechanical Engineers have the ability to adapt to positions in the industry that require technical capability in either of these positions…with some work (courses). I’d like to think that as Aerospace engineers we design structures and systems just like Mechanical Engineers do except we do it while dealing with several limitations – extreme environments, weight limitations, etc. But that’s why we’re always pushing the limits and at the forefront of technology.
Most of us Aerospace Engineers are somehow extremely passionate about our field – and I think that’s a great thing. I tend to follow my passion because it drives me to excel – so I believe you will get a job doing what you want to do because you are so passionate about it!
Now I have seen some students with the initiative of taking on a double major in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and that’s something to consider if you feel you could put in that extra time (you can figure out with your undergraduate counselor how many extra courses you would need before assessing and making a decision). There are also opportunities in college to take part in design competitions or undergraduate research or a summer internship in either of these fields to show your capability in both fields. Hope this helps!

Hi Cynthia, I think that taking any pre-calculus and robotics classes that are available to you would be great preparation for college! Any math, physics, science/engineering courses at your school would be a great way to get some experience and exposure to the field. Really though, you will get a lot of answers because there is no wrong way to prepare as long as you are doing something you enjoy and learning about math/science/engineering. As far as activities, I would definitely get involved in anything that gives you practice in math/science or exposure to industry, as well as anything that gives you an opportunity to communicate/present as that will give you great preparation and confidence in future communication. Good luck!

Every school has different entry requirements for its graduate programs so it is important that you check with your specific program. You will need at least a minimum of three semesters of calculus and likely a course in linear algebra. You can never take too much math but your school may have refresher courses that would also be valuable. And the GRE will likely be a requirement for entry so it is important to prepare for this as well.

Mary. I was totally like that when I started as well.
There are plenty of opportunities to learn those skills in engineering school. Some are through required classes and others through engineering extra curricular activities.
As for a job, it's highly dependent on the job. I don't use any hands on skills at my job though I would love to. Also I didn't spend as much time as I would have liked learning hands on skills in school so its not my best strength. But I'm actually learning and using more skills for fun now outside of work.

Hi Jesame, you brought me to tears after reading your questions and knowing your frustration. I can so relate to the struggle of knowing that something is so close and yet feels like it is so far away. As a kid, I fell in love with the F-16 fighter aircraft. I would dream about flying escort missions and such, but as I started high school, I realized that I had many more dreams and goals that I wanted to accomplish. As I worked my way through my last year of high school and very few scholarships came to my doorstep, I looked toward my dream of being a fighter pilot. My heart was broken when I was told that that I didn’t meet the strict requirements that the military wanted at the time. Now, not only could I not pay for school, I didn’t have a plan in mind. I had a mentor and someone interested in helping me find my next step. I was invited on a weekend trip to Tuskegee University and that’s where I saw an F-4 Phantom on display for the first time in my life. I said, to myself that “whatever is studied in this building is what I will do; this is my next step.” As I begin to study Aerospace Science Engineering, I met a classmate that was interested in flying too. He invited me on a trip with him to Birmingham, Alabama. I flew as his unofficial co-pilot/navigator. It was the coolest trip I had ever taken in a C172. From there, I was on my way and it was all about me. I was introduced to the FBO, Colonel RJ Lewis and he introduced me to the best Flight Instructor I’ve ever had, Antonio Smith. I was given a scholarship by the FBO and the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter to complete my Private Pilot’s license. I flew every weekend and during the week when I did not have class. I was so proud of the mentors and network I had developed and even more proud of myself. Then, it was time to get busy and graduate. I had to get focused on getting a job and financing more flight training, but how could I do that? I was in that familiar place of ‘find my next step’. A couple of months from graduation, I contacted my friend and former classmate that took me on the exciting flight to Birmingham, Alabama and asked for advice. He asked for my resume. The week of my birthday, I had two interviews with Boeing to join the Flight Test team in Seattle. Talk about exciting, I was thrilled. Now that I was working as an Engineer and flying during my off time, I started looking for the next step. How do I put both my dreams of being a Professional Pilot and my Engineering career together as one? I started asking about Flight Test Pilots and how to get into that group of Pilots/Engineers. More experience as a Pilot is what I needed, so in the mean time, I’m building time and flying with my next step in mind, Flight Test Pilot.

That’s the short version of my long story, but I say all of that to show you that our passion will not allow us to rest until we do what we are supposed to do as Pilots and Engineers. You will make it! Yes, as you can see, I have certainly felt/feel the same way on my journey. Keep in mind, it is just that a ‘journey’. Your experiences/obstacles are to prepare you to ‘find the next step’. Now, for a little more practical advice, the Women in Aviation chapters in Africa, I think are in Nigeria and Kenya. I’m not sure of your resources of travel, but it is a great place to start looking for scholarships. The 2015 scholarships are now available for applicants to apply. www.wai.org. They are competitive but are well worth the effort of at least applying. There are also the other flight schools there, I’m sure you are familiar with SAFTA and Madiba Bay. I would recommend getting to know some local instructors looking for safety pilots or just building time. They usually enjoy the extra company in the cockpit. Also, check out the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy (formerly Bessie Coleman Foundation) may have scholarships available as well.

I think you or most people who have something called “The Knack” (Dilbert Episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmYDgncMhXw) is what I would consider qualifies you for any Engineering field. The mere fact that you have interest and want to explore the different avenues in Aeronautics is half the battle. The other half is your network. Surround yourself with like-minded people who share your interests and together you will grow your support for what you want to do. It may not be an instant connection, but you have to seek out those individuals/groups. They will not come to you. One of the sources I used in college was Society of Women Engineers, www.swe.org.

Hi Prajwal,
Stop worrying :) I am a mechanical Engineering by degree and I work in aerospace! And lots of my coworkers are not aerospace engineers. They are civil, electrical, and mechanical. At my company, we build commercial airplanes. So you need to have all types of engineers involved. Even if you were making spaceships, there are mechanical systems (heating, cooling, hydraulics, engines) and electrical systems (networks, lights), and structure (civil) that needs to be designed and built. If you specialize in aerospace you'll have more information on aerodynamics, but it is nothing you cannot get with your undergrad in mechanical. If you are interested in aerospace, within your mechanical studies, you can take vibrations, helicopters, composites, or any other aero-type of class. There's about 90% overlap from ME and AE.

Hi, I am senior material research engineer at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. I think it is wonderful that you are fascinated with space, and it is great to hear you are considering a career in a space-related field.

There are many different types of engineers that work at NASA. A few of the many examples include: aerospace engineers (also called aeronautical and astronautical engineers), chemical engineers, materials engineers (like me), mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, polymers engineers, computer & software engineers, system engineers and planetary engineers. There are various specialized engineers also (such as optical engineers). Many of the NASA engineers have “desk” jobs where they work on computers for the majority of time. And other engineers, like me, spend part of the time in a laboratory doing experiments and research, and then part of the time at their desk doing computer work (analyzing & graphing data, writing reports and papers, etc). Some engineers may even work outside (truly “in the field”), for example doing weather testing or operating a test rover in desert-like terrain. I have experiments that fly on the exterior of the International Space Station to test the durability of spacecraft materials in the harsh space environment. And, of course, there are astronauts who get to work in space on the International Space Station!

So, in summary, there are many different things that NASA engineers may do. The best advice I can give is to pursue one of the engineering disciplines that sounds most interesting to you, and try to get a shadow opportunity or a summer internship at a NASA center to learn more from NASA engineers. You can also learn about women engineers and researchers at “Women @ NASA” (http://women.nasa.gov/). Good luck! Kim

For classes to take in high school, you can check out information in our blog article on the subject. Being good at math and science helps, but that's not all there is. You'll need to be able to get through it, but it doesn't have to be your best subject. The classes you take in college will depend upon where you go and what type of engineering you major in. Your university will give you a list of required courses when you enroll. College can be tough, but it is also very fun. Everyone does it differently so don't be too worried about it. Just take what you think will interest you. As for being smart, well...it helps, but being diligent is more important.

Hi Vanessa:
I will suggest for you to take Advance Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Intro to Calculus. If you could, get all the advance sciences. Why do I tell you this... because in Engineering School you will need a good strong MATH and SCIENCE foundation. In my opinion, YES you need to be excellent in math and sciences. Engineering revolves around Math and Sciences but that doesn't mean that if you don't do well in Biology you are done. I will say that Good grades in Physics and Chemistry can take you right into Engineering School. Definitely Good grades in MATH because you will be dealing with numbers all your school's year and career.

Hi Sneha, this is very dependent on the company, the division, but mostly the specific program and position. There are a lot of defense and space programs that do require clearance, but some do not and most commercial aircraft positions do not require clearance. You will have to check the specific position that you are applying for to determine if you meet the criteria, but they exist in most companies. Whether or not you want to obtain a PhD would be a separate decision, the PhD might not necessarily guarantee that you would qualify for a position that requires clearance. If you are interested in getting more depth in the field before working in industry, then the PhD would definitely be an option. Don't give up, the jobs are out there! Good luck!

First of all, don't worry. You don't need to be ready to be an engineer tomorrow. All you need to do is get accepted into an accredited university engineering program. That is the whole point of college, to get you ready for a career. You don't have to know it all now, but you should certainly keep learning as much as you can, prepare your college applications, and do your best. Good luck!

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